One of Kent's most senior female police officers has been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting.

Supt Rachel Adams, 46, has been suspended from duties at Medway police station, where she is area commander.

The allegation is thought to involve items - including cosmetics - believed to be worth around £30 from an Asda store near West Malling.

The offence is alleged to have been committed at Asda, in Alexander Grove, Kings Hill, on Bank Holiday Monday, August 27.

Supt Adams was arrested at her home, in the Maidstone area, and is currently on police bail. She has not been charged.

She has headed Medway police since being appointed in June last year. The job is being filled by a female colleague while the investigation continues.

Supt Adams is vice-chairman of the Medway Community Safety Partnership, but has been temporarily stood down due to her suspension.

The organisation comprises police, council and others, who work together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Supt Adams has previously been deputy area commander in the West Kent area and has been a detective chief inspector in Swale.

When appointed to Medway, she said she wanted to spend the rest of her policing career in the Towns.

The keen runner and skier said: "I come from the military, it is a male-dominated environment, so I can work very well with my male colleagues.

"I enjoying being here already and I'm looking forward to working with the partnerships here."

Supt Rachel Adams is alleged to have shoplifted at Asda, in Kings Hill

Cllr Mike O’Brien, chairman of the Medway Community Safety Partnership, said this week: "The role of the vice chair of the Medway Community Safety Partnership is automatically taken on by the police officer who has overall responsibility for policing command in Medway.

"If a person is not currently working in that role, they are unable to sit as the vice chair of the partnership.

"As this is an ongoing policing enquiry, we are unable to comment any further."

A Kent Police spokesman said: "On Monday, August 27 August, a 46-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of theft (shoplifting) in Kings Hill."

Supt Adams was later released on police bail pending further inquiries until October 11.